Browns receiver Josh Gordon reinstated on conditional basis

Former Cleveland Browns star, turned Browns afterthought, Josh Gordon has been reinstated by the National Football League. That’s the simple good. The complicated part of this? There are a slew of conditions attached to the league’s decision to allow Josh Gordon to run on blades of grass during each weekend.

For now, Gordon is placed under the Commissioner’s Exempt list. The oft-suspended wideout met with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Wednesday to discuss his reinstatement.

“As emphasized at today’s meeting, everyone — including Josh’s teammates and coaches, the Browns’ ownership and organization, the Program professionals and all of us at the league office — want him to have every opportunity to resume his career and to be successful in the NFL,” said Goodell, per the Browns’ official website. “Whether that happens, however, at the end of the day will depend on Josh. His commitment to sobriety and to reaching his goals in football and beyond will determine his success. It ultimately is up to Josh.”

Now, the statement released by the NFL does clarify some things. Mainly, when the player will be able to actually play. Via the release.

Effective immediately, Gordon may join the Browns to attend meetings, engage in conditioning work and individual workouts.

Subject to compliance with clinical and other requirements, he will be placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt list and be permitted to practice with the team beginning on Monday, November 20.

Beginning Monday, November 27, Gordon will be eligible at the team’s discretion to return to active status or to remain on the Commissioner’s Exempt list for an additional week before returning to active status.

November 27 is the actual day to keep an eye on. Getting back to practice is great, but until Gordon actually plays a game, there’s a lot of stuff that can prevent him from doing so.